A multinational chemicals giant controlled by a British billionaire is widening its scope for fracking in the region after it revealed it was to carry out large-scale testing on vast swathes of the countryside.

Rotherham Council has received formal notification from energy company INEOS that it intends to undertake a 3D seismic survey across part of the borough for six months, starting on June 5. The firm, whose boss Jim Ratcliffe has been nicknamed “JR” after the oil magnate in the TV series, Dallas, has submitted details about the areas to be surveyed and how it will be undertaken.

News: Council confirms INEOS seismic survey

Rotherham Council has confirmed that INEOS’ oil and gas exploration and production business is set to carry out a 3D seismic survey in part of the borough from early June, as reported by Rothbiz last week.

The company, which owns licences to pursue a range of oil and gas exploration activities in the region, is assessing the suitability of the area for hydraulic fracturing (fracking). It has submitted details about the areas to be surveyed and how the survey will be undertaken. The full survey area covers approximately 250 square kilometres (approximately 17.32 sq. km. in Rotherham) and also includes parts of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.